'Living a Nightmare': Relatives of Missing Teenagers Desperately Seek Information After Ski Resort Fire
The families of young people unaccounted for after a deadly inferno at a bar in a Switzerland's winter destination are facing an agonising wait for official news and pleading for clues about their children publicly.
The blaze engulfed the a popular bar in the alpine resort, located in the Alps of the Valais region, in the middle of the night of New Year's Day. Verified footage reveal the ceiling being engulfed in flames as beverages with sparklers are held aloft.
Emergency services have warned that it could take considerable time to formally name the victims of the fire, which killed four dozen individuals and wounded another scores more. Authorities said on the latest update that the majority of the those hurt have been accounted for, with work continuing to identify the final individuals.
In the meantime, loved ones have been posting on the internet to request any news about their friends who were in attendance that fateful night.
Desperate Searches for the Missing
The whereabouts of teenager from Switzerland Arthur Brodard, 16, are currently unknown, according to an appeal from his parent.
The who lives of a town near Lausanne, informed a publication that she had gone back to the city to see if he was in the medical facility, while his other parent did the equivalent search in Bern, but did not locate him.
"This is a living nightmare, an ordeal. The options are finding my son in the hospital mortuary, or I find him in intensive care. It's terrible," she stated.
She added that some of his companions had been found with burns covering a significant portion of their bodies. "It's indescribable; they experienced an absolute nightmare."
The Italy's government has said that six of its young people have not been located.
Included in that group is Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old junior golfer, originally from Italy but now living in Dubai.
The Italian Golf Federation has released a tribute that he is dead, without directly referencing the tragedy, paying tribute to a "young athlete who embodied passion and true sportsmanship."
His father, reportedly stated that his son was at the bar and was last heard from around midnight. An official spokesperson has stated that a official announcement of his death is not yet.
Other Missing Individuals
Giovanni Tamburi, 16, is likewise among the missing. His parent told reporters that he had been on holiday but had ventured out with a group and found himself at the venue.
"A close friend said they ran away after the fire broke out and that he had his phone with him, but then at a specific moment he lost sight of him," she said, adding he had been wearing a distinctive gold chain.
One of his teachers stated, "He was known for his good nature and smile, coupled with great maturity. Every time ask if help out."
Alice Kallergis, who holds both Swiss and Greek citizenship but lives permanently in Switzerland, was also present on New Year's Eve, according to media.
Her brother has shared an appeal on social media, saying the family has had "no news" regarding the teenager or the group she was with, who are also unaccounted for.
Consular authorities from her country of origin say they are closely watching the developments.